Citation

Nyirandamutsa F, Niyonsenga J, Lisette GK, Izabayo J, Kambibi E, Munderere S, Sebuhoro C, Muhayisa A, Vincent S. PLoS One 2024; 19(4): e0302330.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0302330

PMID

38687773

PMCID

PMC11060550

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is little known about the family and community maltreatment of the offspring born of the genocidal rape and the offspring's self-perceptions and how they influence their recovery from mental health problems. This study aimed to examine how the mental health prognosis of these offspring could be influenced by the family or community perceptions and attitudes toward them and their self-perception and coping strategies.

METHODS: Thirty-two semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted on 16 dyads of mothers and their offspring who were selected from countrywide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatims that were analysed inductively using thematic analysis within the NVivo 12 software.

RESULTS: Participants reported long-term psychological and psychosomatic consequences stemming from being born of genocidal rape. Notably, family and community maltreatment of the offspring and their self-perception exacerbated psychological distress and affected their capacity to recover. The majority of the offspring were using coping strategies such as sole collaboration with peers with the same history, efforts to hide their birth history, social Isolation (silence, untrusting, involvement in media etc), hardworking, reversed roles in the parental relationship, extreme involvement in praying, and harmful alcohol use.

CONCLUSION: Given the documented detrimental effects of individual, family and community attitudes and perceptions on psychological, and psychosomatic symptoms as well as the offspring coping strategies, culturally relevant mental health interventions are required to support the well-being and social reintegration of individuals born of genocidal rape while minimizing stigma and their maladaptive coping strategies.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Child; Adult; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Self Concept; Adolescent; Young Adult; Prognosis; *Adaptation, Psychological; *Mental Health; Family/psychology; Rape/psychology